MINISTRY BACKGROUND – Philip EAST

The beginning: In 1981 as an 18 year old I made a life changing decision to follow Jesus. Even though I was raised in a great home with parents who loved me and had a good education, I knew something was missing. At the time of my decision to follow Jesus, hundreds of others were also making decisions for Christ at the church I became a part of in Perth.

Discipleship: In August 1982 at a conference I sensed a clear calling from God to become a minister. I devoted myself to intensive Bible study, leading home groups and organising outreaches. In 1986 I married Jan, who likewise felt the call of God to ministry. 

Pastoring:-In 1987 we went to Canberra to pioneer a church. Initially I worked a job while establishing the Church. In the 1990s the Church continued to grow which enabled me to become a full time minister. I conducted crusades and revivals in Fiji, China, Zimbabwe, Indonesia and South Africa.   

Transition: In 1999 I resigned my ministry. I knew it was time to move on. Since then I have been working in the public service, studying Indonesia, preparing leadership material and preaching in churches. In 2005 we as a family moved to Perth so we could be closer to Indonesia. This was a big step of faith which God has honoured.

Indonesian Ministry: In 2002 I felt a linking of my heart with the Indonesian Church when I visited on a ministry trip. I sensed God's calling to partner in equipping leaders  and reaching the unsaved. In 2003 I started East to East Ministries. 

I have developed extensive leadership material. Including a 21 part seminar series entitled “Developing Spiritual Leaders”. It includes seminars on vision, professionalism, raising money and dealing with conflict. I have also completed a series “Growing Great Churches”.

Some of the highlights of my ministry include:

• Preaching at the 8000 member Mawar Saron GBI with Dr Jacob Nahuway in Jakarta.

• Revival meetings and leadership training in the Barong Tongkok (East Kalimantan) area - 7 hours upstream from Samarinda by speedboat.

• Ministry in beautiful Toraja where the people were as receptive as the surrounding stunning.

• Ministering in Serpong (near Jakarta) with many saved, leaders helped and a young man blind in one eye healed.

• Being in  Kupang (Timor) as a part of feeding program to 5000 people. One night we saw over 170 decisions for Christ.

• Preaching in the 4000 member GBI Rock Church in Bali with Ps Timothy Arifin.

• Ministering with Bethany in Makassar, Malang , Palangkaraya, Kapuas, Banjarmasin, Tual and Surabaya

• Preaching and teaching in Jayapura, Timika, Wamena and Biak (Papua)

• Preaching in Ambon for GBI Rock - it was an honour to minister with a church that has 4 martyrs from the civil unrest a few year ago.

• Conducting leadership training and revival meetings in Aceh.

Since moving to Perth  I have been working in an internal communications area for a government agency, studying Indonesian and doing a communications degree at ECU, ministering in local Churches.

In 2008 I released my first book entitled Kuasa Pengampunan - the power of forgiveness.

All up I've visited Indonesia 15 times. I've preached in all the major islands and for over 15 different denominations.

My plan is to return to Indonesia 4 times a years conducting leadership training, preaching in Churches and conducting evangelistic meetings. 

If you are interested in partnering with me or finding out more, please email: philip@philipeast.com